Las Vegas in the summer? Yikes. Better be ready for mercury popping temperatures. But as summer sizzles, Sin City deals start to heat up. And we have tips for finding the best bargains in Vegas.

After years of record crowds, tourism to Las Vegas is flat. Room occupancy rates have fallen slightly, forcing resorts to up the ante with special deals.

Alan Feldman represents the MGM-Mirage Corporation, which owns and operates 11 mega resorts in Las Vegas. Feldman says Las Vegas is responding to the nation's tough economic turn and subsequent decrease in tourism.

"When times get a little bit tight, Las Vegas is one of the great travel values of just about anywhere in the world," he said.

So while we can't guarantee a win at the craps table or relief from oppressive triple-digit temperatures, the KOMO 4 Problem Solvers can give you a little luck saving cash on a Vegas vacation this summer.

Tip 1: Book online

Feldman repeatedly directs all visitors - from high rollers to buffet surfers - to get on the Web. The city even has a new Web site devoted exclusively to finding values. Resorts update www.vegasrightnow.com daily with new package deals and special rates.

"(The site) is a great one-stop shopping place to see what's on offer and find the best package deal that suits them," said Erika Pope of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which operates the site.

Package deals are the name of the game with the Web site. For instance, the Girls Night Out package at the Luxor resort includes:

Free pass to LAX Night Club

$25 dining credit at Fusia

$20 off 50-minute spa treatment

$10 off a ticket to the male revue "Thunder from Down Under"

Starting at $69/night

Have a favorite resort? Sign up for their e-mail alerts. You'll get access to special package deals (spas, gaming credits, dining money and even free upgrades).

Cirque du Soleil has five permanent shows on the Las Vegas Strip and is adding a sixth with illusionist Chris Angel. Tickets to the shows are some of the hottest in Vegas, but you can still find deals online.

For instance, visitors can get two tickets the risque show Zumanity including two Zumanitini's (Cirque's answer to the common cocktail) and VIP check-in for $198. They'll even discount your room at the New York, New York hotel.

You can get a deal on Cirque's classic Mystere at the TI (that's the hip name for the Treasure Island now). Early bird planners can get 25 percent off tickets to the show when they book a room online at the TI more than 21 days in advance.

Need a cheaper flight? Try priceline.com. But before you do, let KOMO 4's Matt Markovich show you how to beat Priceline.

Tip #2: Be flexible

You don't have to be a Cirque du Soleil contortionist, but if you can be flexible with your travel dates, you can save a ton of money. Avoid big conventions and remember that hotel rates almost double Friday and Saturday nights compared to Sunday through Thursday.

The same is true for flights. Can't find a flight at the right price? Try moving your dates. Everyone wants to fly into Vegas Thursday and leave (often with a hangover) Sunday morning. If you can avoid those days, you could save big time.

Tip #3: Join the Player's Club

You don't have to be a whale (the casinos' fancy term for the highest of high-rollers) to earn your way to hotel and casino comps. Let's be honest, it takes a lot of gambling (read, a lot of "investment") to get stuff free from the casinos.

However, just signing up for the club usually earns you a free gift (key chains, picture frames, etc.) and coupons good for food, drink and even free money for gambling. Plus, signing up for the club puts you on a resorts' mail and e-mail list.

Once you get your card, use it. Want to drop a dollar in a machine while you wait for your spouse in the bathroom? Don't forget your card. You generally earn one point for each dollar you wager (win or lose) and you get extra points the longer you play.

Before you leave, check back with the player's club people to see if you've earned any freebies. Some clubs can also show you exactly how much you won or (gulp) lost. (Remember, they don't build those palaces on the backs of winning gamblers).

Tip #4: Get off the Strip and save

Downtown and "local" hotels are usually a lot less expensive. You won't find celebrity chefs or chic boutiques, but you will find a cheap room. The Problem Solvers found $40/night at the Fremont Hotel in July. Just remember, there's more to see and do on the Strip, while downtown is more geared toward gamblers.

Why not get out of town all together? Vegas is a short drive from Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam and hiking and climbing at Mount Charleston (it's about a 22-mile round-trip hike to the summit) and Red Rock Canyon.

Tip #5: Fly out of Bellingham

If you live north of Seattle, you might consider flying Allegiant Air . The airline, which flies out of Bellingham, links an odd assortment of small cities around the west. The KOMO 4 Problem Solvers found round trip flights to Vegas in July for as low as $162 online.

Tip #6: Go for cheap tickets

If you're willing to wait, you can score a good deal on show tickets. Tix 4 Tonight sells tickets for about half-price. The catch is, you have to show up at one of their five locations the day of the show and when the tickets are gone, they're gone - no guarantees.

Tip #7: Consider a condo

Vegas is booming with condos and timeshares. Many are second homes, but most are solely investment properties. Before you book a condo or timeshare, do your homework. They're not usually backed by big businesses and it's easy to get taken. Check the address and make sure a description of "just off Strip," doesn't really mean "Arizona."

You can find timeshare rentals on Redweek.com. You'll have to become a member of the site, but it gives you access to people looking to sublet their timeshares at various times.

Even if you've gambled your last dime, you can still have some fun in Vegas. From the Fountains at Bellagio to the Wynn's Botanical Gardens to window shopping at Caesar's Forum Shops, there's no shortage of free things to see and do. Just remember to wear light clothes and for goodness sake, take some water. It might not get below 90 degrees at 3 in the morning!